Hi Everyone,
NOTES:
** I just made Frito casserole for dinner.
Canned hamburger (2017), canned chili (2021), canned tomatoes (2022), canned corn (2021), canned olives (2025). The only thing fresh were the Fritos! In a pinch, you can use a cornbread mix for the base. Cheese on top. Easy way to rotate your food.
** This is a good time of year to test your generators, your lanterns, and any other type of “electricity” substitute you may have.
GARDEN HAPPENINGS:
So, I decided to “test” my soil. I watched this.(33) Test Your Soil’s pH Balance with Household Items – YouTube I found out that my soil is pretty balanced, no visible reaction to either the baking soda or the vinegar. So, woo hoo. Having said that, my blueberries actually like soil that is highly acidic. I buy special nutrients for them at Lowes and add them several times throughout the year.
Not sure which plants like what?
27 Acid-Loving Plants to Grow in Your Garden
Here’s the short list. Acidic – Azaleas, Blueberries, Gardenias, Hydrangeas, Rhododendrons, and Strawberries.
Alkaline Soil Plants: 40 Trees, Shrubs, Edibles & Flowers That Thrive
Alkaline: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, peas, pole beans, rosemary, thyme
Last week, January 21, I planted onions and garlic outside. I also planted broccoli, tomatoes, basil, and a few flowers inside. They have already sprouted.
THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: soup
You can buy canned soup, ready to eat (chicken noodle or vegetable beef, etc.)
Or you can get some dried soup mixes.
I like Bear Creek and you can get it most grocery stores
These work great when the power is out because you just add water and cook over an open flame. There is a good variety of soup choice as well.
MISC. PURCHASE: If you don’t have one, I encourage you to get something that holds water in an emergency. I have something similar to this:
Amazon.com : Zipcase Water Storage Bladder, 100 Gallon Heavy Duty Food-Grade Plastic Bag, for Emergency Water Bank, Ideal for Bathtub Water Storage, Camping, Gardening and Agricultural Irrigation. : Sports & Outdoors
It fits in the tub and will hold 100 gallons of water. Then you can seal it so it doesn’t leak out. A siphon is included.
I also have several of these:Amazon.com: AGPTEK 12 Pack Disposable Bathtub Cover Liner, Large Bathtub Liner Plastic Bag for Salon, Household and Hotel Bath Tubs (102 x47 Inch) : Home & Kitchen. This works if you want to fill the tub, and then use the water to flush the toilet. At least it prevents it from leaking.
FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:
My Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar
I’ve made this one a lot and I really like it.
4 oz. fettucini noodles (I break them up to fit in a pint jar and weigh them)
1/2 c. freeze dried chicken. Do you HAVE to add FD chicken. No, of course not. You can add canned chicken, or any kind of chicken you might have in the freezer: diced, shredded, etc. Just add chicken when you make it.
4 tsp chicken bouillon
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp thyme
1/8 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 c. dehydrated carrots (I like carrots so I usually add more)
1 TB dehydrated celery
I don’t add salt because the bouillon is often salty enough.
Add 4 c. water and simmer until the carrots and noodles are cooked. Sometimes I add the carrots first and let simmer 5-10 min, THEN add the noodles. No one likes mushy noodles.
Do I make it ahead of time and put it on the shelf. Unfortunately no. I should.
Do you take lunch to work? Try one of these.
Cream of Tomato Soup for One (multiply accordingly)
In a pint jar OR in a Ziplock freeze bag add:
1/3 c. dry milk
1/4 c. tomato powder
1/ TB chicken bouillon
1 tsp driec basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp onion powder
pinch black pepper
You can make it in a Ziplock bag, shake it to combine and store in your closet.
To prepare: boil 1 3/4 c. water, and add soup.
Minnestrone for One
1/3 c. pasta
1 TB chicken bouillon
2 tsp tomato powder
1/4 tsp Italian herbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp pepper
Store in a pint jar or Ziploc freezer bag
To make, boil 1 3/4 c. water and soup and let simmer.
Marti Shelley
